Some truck upgrades chiefly improve aesthetics, and others target performance. A throttle body spacer falls into the latter camp. Though it appears relatively simple, it may be a worthwhile part to add to your vehicle. Continue reading to discover what a throttle body spacer does in more detail.
Some truck upgrades chiefly improve aesthetics, and others target performance. A throttle body spacer falls into the latter camp. Though it appears relatively simple, it may be a worthwhile part to add to your vehicle. First, we will take a look at what a throttle body is, then continue reading to discover what a throttle body spacer does in more detail along with the advantages.
What Is a Throttle Body?
To appreciate how a throttle body spacer can impact performance, it is necessary to understand the throttle body. A throttle body is a component of a car's air intake system, and it controls how much air flows into the combustion cylinders then combustion chamber. Hitting the accelerator pedal causes the intake valve of the cylinder head to open. When the cylinder head opens, air rushes to the engine, and the intake runner is pulled to the cylinder. The amount of air flow affects the speed of the engine. Therefore, the throttle body affects the speed of your car.
What Is a Throttle Body Spacer?
A throttle body spacer is a small ring made of metal you can install between your truck’s throttle body and intake manifold.
Normally, there is a simple, thin gasket between these two parts, but you can replace it with a throttle body spacer. The tb spacer is thicker than the default gasket, so it has the effect of elongating the intake manifold.
Different Types of Throttle Body Spacers
There are also two major types of throttle body spacer designs you can select: the spiral and smooth spacers. The difference between them lies in the design of their interior surfaces. Spiral spacers have twisting ridges on their inner sides, while smooth spacers do not. Moving the air in a spiral or more directly can increase the effectiveness of air delivery in the engine. However, in practice, aren’t many notable differences between them. In other words, either one can work just as well as the other.
The Benefits of Throttle Body Spacers
Though the spacer doesn’t introduce a drastic change to the engine setup, the extra room it provides allows more air to enter the intake manifold. The engine can perform more efficiently since it gains more air to create combustion reactions. You’ll see an increase in horsepower and torque when you add a spacer.
Throttle Body Spacers can also benefit:
- throttle response
- fuel economy & fuel mileage
- overall performance upgrades
After educating yourself on topics such as what a throttle body spacer does, you can go on to make modifications to your truck. To see real gains, other modifications that may up your horsepower include a cold air intake system, intake plenum spacer, intake manifold spacer, a supercharger, and more. If you need top-notch Ford F-150 Raptor accessories for your mods, visit the Specialty Performance Parts website today.